Attachments
CONTEXT & RATIONALE
The educational infrastructure in Libya faces significant challenges, with around 160,000 children and 5,600 teachers in urgent need of support related to access or quality of education due to a decade of conflict and macroeconomic issues. Damaged schools, lack of maintenance, delayed supplies, and power outages contribute to these challenges.1 As identified in the Joint Education Needs Assessment (JENA 2022),2 obstacles such as insufficient equipment, teacher strikes, outdated curricula, and electricity cuts hinder student completion rates, leading to dropout, non-enrollment, and non-attendance.
Migrant and refugee children encounter the most difficulties accessing education, facing financial, documentation, social, and language barriers. The objective of this assessment is to inform the Education Cannot Wait consortium members and stakeholders about several factors influencing enrollment, dropout, and attendance in Libya.
KEY MESSAGES
Obstacles to access education:
• Infrastructure deficiencies within formal education institutions such as the absence of health and WASH facilities in schools hampers learning environments.
• The presence of armed actors in some Baladiyas compounds safety concerns and hinders access to education facilities.
• Financial constraints worsen access to education, especially for vulnerable populations, as some children reported that they work to help support their families.
Enablers to access education:
• Accessible, safe, and affordable transportation options facilitate regular attendance by alleviating the strain of long commutes and mitigating risks such as exposure to harsh weather and bullying occurring on the way to schools.
• Improved school infrastructure, including well-maintained facilities, access to technology, adequate classrooms, and air conditioning, ensure regular attendance.
• Promoting awareness on importance of education and providing psychosocial support within schools are crucial for addressing students’ physical and mental wellbeing.